Myanmar — A deadly airstrike carried out with a motorized paraglider killed at least 20 civilians and injured dozens more in central Myanmar. The incident occurred on Monday evening in Bon To village, located in Chaung U township of the Sagaing region, an area that has become one of the centers of resistance against the military junta.
According to witnesses and local civil defense groups, people had gathered to mark the Buddhist festival of Thadingyut, participating in a candlelight vigil that also served as a quiet protest against military rule. The peaceful ceremony turned into chaos when a paraglider allegedly flown by a member of the Myanmar military dropped multiple explosives on the crowd.
The Attack
Eyewitnesses described a single motorized paraglider approaching at low altitude before releasing small bombs directly over the group of villagers. Initial reports suggest that at least three explosives detonated in rapid succession, causing significant casualties.
The victims reportedly included children, elderly villagers, and community organizers who had been attending the evening’s festival events. Some accounts suggest that makeshift bombs, similar to those previously used by the junta in low-tech airstrikes, were adapted to be released from paragliders or small drones.
While casualty numbers vary among sources, most early estimates place the death toll between 20 and 24 people, with some unverified local reports suggesting the number could be as high as 40. Dozens of others were said to be in critical condition.
Background: Sagaing Under Fire
The Sagaing region has been one of the most heavily targeted areas in Myanmar since the military seized power in February 2021. It has seen frequent clashes between the junta’s forces and local resistance groups aligned with the National Unity Government (NUG).
Over the past year, the military has escalated its use of air power including helicopters, jets, and increasingly, low-tech aerial vehicles such as paragliders and modified drones. Analysts believe these tactics reflect resource constraints: Myanmar’s air force reportedly faces shortages of aviation fuel and spare parts due to international sanctions.
By employing motorized paragliders, the military can conduct small-scale airstrikes with minimal cost, though with far less precision heightening the risk to civilians.
Humanitarian Impact
Local aid volunteers told exiled Burmese media outlets that the attack destroyed several homes and caused fires across Bon To village. Emergency medical workers faced difficulties reaching the site due to ongoing clashes and roadblocks set up by junta forces.
Photographs shared on social media which have not been independently verified show scenes of devastation, including debris scattered across the festival grounds and villagers tending to the wounded under candlelight.
One volunteer medic described the aftermath as “the worst single incident we have seen since April,” adding that the local clinic quickly ran out of medical supplies.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Response
Amnesty International condemned the incident in a public statement, calling the use of paragliders to attack civilians part of a “disturbing new trend” in Myanmar’s conflict. The organization urged the United Nations Security Council to impose stronger sanctions and to provide greater protection for civilians caught in the fighting.
Human rights researchers monitoring the conflict have noted an increase in improvised airstrikes since mid-2024, as the military attempts to maintain air superiority despite dwindling resources. Several similar attacks have been reported in Sagaing, Magway, and Kachin regions since early this year.
“The deployment of low-tech flying devices demonstrates the junta’s desperation but also its continued willingness to target unarmed civilians,” said one analyst with the Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre.
Junta Response and Silence
As of publication, the Myanmar military has not issued any official statement acknowledging or denying involvement in the Bon To bombing. State-controlled media made no reference to the incident in their Tuesday broadcasts.
In previous cases of civilian casualties, military spokespersons have often attributed attacks to “terrorist insurgents” or accidental explosions. However, local residents insist the aircraft bore markings and colors associated with the junta’s forces operating in central Myanmar.
International Reaction
Regional governments and international observers have expressed growing concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Myanmar. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Myanmar is a member, has repeatedly called for restraint but has struggled to influence the junta’s actions.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar described the situation as “an escalating pattern of deliberate violence against civilians,” emphasizing that the targeting of a religious gathering could constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.
Escalating Conflict and Civilian Risk
The attack underscores how Myanmar’s civil conflict has entered a new and unpredictable phase. With large parts of the country beyond central government control, and both sides using improvised weaponry, civilians are increasingly vulnerable.
Bon To village, like many in Sagaing, has been largely self-administered by local defense groups and civilian committees since the coup. Residents say they have little protection from air raids or artillery, relying on underground shelters and early-warning networks.
Community leaders fear the use of motorized paragliders may spread to other regions, complicating efforts by resistance groups to monitor the airspace. “You can hear helicopters from far away,” one resident told independent reporters. “But a paraglider is silent until it’s right above you.”
Broader Implications
The growing reliance on unconventional air attacks illustrates how the Myanmar military has adapted its strategy under sanctions and battlefield pressure. At the same time, it highlights the widening gap between the junta’s tactics and international humanitarian standards.
Analysts suggest that unless foreign governments strengthen restrictions on aviation fuel and increase diplomatic pressure, such attacks are likely to continue with catastrophic consequences for civilians.
Conclusion
The bombing in Bon To village is a stark reminder of the persistent dangers facing communities across Myanmar, particularly in the Sagaing region, where armed conflict and humanitarian crises intersect.
As investigations continue and rescue efforts persist, calls are mounting for an independent international inquiry into the attack and renewed efforts to halt the junta’s campaign of violence. For residents of Bon To, however, recovery remains a distant hope amid ongoing insecurity and fear of future air assaults.
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